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Neighbours cry foul at LHSC’s handling of possible move of psychoses program to residential area 0

"I think schizophrenics should be helped — I’m not one of those NIMBY (not in my backyard) people." -- Marion Austin, who lives across the street from Bethesda, shown at left with her husband, Rob, standing on their front pathway. (CRAIG GLOVER, The London Free Press)

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A London hospital might move a program for those with schizophrenia and other psychoses into a residential neighbourhood — a possibility officials didn’t acknowledge until pressed repeatedly by The Free Press.

London Health Sciences Centre announced Wednesday what appeared to be unambiguous good news for the London neighbourhood tucked behind the city’s children’s museum: The hospital was buying a building that had sat empty since the Salvation Army pulled the plug on Bethesda Centre, a place for unwed mothers and their babies.

Officials said the Riverview Ave. structure would be the new home to programs including one for those with adult eating ­disorders.

The announcement surprised those who work for the Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses, who said they’d been told they were ­moving, too.

“A lot of us feel that the public is being deceived. There’s such a stigma in mental health and not including (us) on the announcement isn’t helping matters,” wrote someone who works for the ­program, administered by the hospital and a local branch of the Canadian Mental Health ­Association.

A hospital spokesperson was asked Wednesday whether LHSC was considering moving the prevention program, but wouldn’t answer the question.

It was only after The Free Press insisted on a response that the head of the hospital acknowledged Thursday the program might be moved.

“We are looking at a series of options for the Bethesda facility, including potential moves of staff from the South Street Annex and ambulatory programs, (Prevention and Early Intervention ­Program for Psychoses) included. To be clear, no decisions have been taken,” Murray Glendining, president and chief executive, wrote in an e-mail.

The lack of disclosure upset neighbours, who received notices from the hospital that made no mention of the psychoses program, even some who think such a program might work well there.

“(The hospital) can’t be trusted,” said Marion Austin, who lives across the street from Bethesda.

“I think schizophrenics should be helped — I’m not one of those NIMBY (not in my backyard) people,” she said.

Her husband, Ron Austin, also thinks the psychoses program might fit, but he’d like to see the hospital plans.

He and his neighbours will get a chance, Glendining said.

“Clearly more assessment from several perspectives is required. We have committed to meet with community members and share our thinking once any leading considerations emerge from our review process. We absolutely want to ensure an appropriate fit with the community.”

The Salvation Army shut Bethesda down May 31, 2012, because of ongoing operating ­deficits of $200,000 to $250,000.